Toyota offered a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four powerplant for the U.S. market. . All Wheel Drive. In addition to this, you can also install visual mods like bumper splitters, side skirts, rear spoilers, etc. As a budget project car, a Citroen Saxo offers great opportunity for customisation, having been a strong staple in the modding scene since the '90s. Most gearheads tend to think that the BMW E30 is the very first 3 Series ever made. You can expect to spend another $5,000 on parts to get the car back on the road again. Normally, we'd tell folks on a budget who like the Pontiac GTO to look for a same-year Tempest or LeMans A-body because they're typically cheaper. The 3S-GTE produces 200 hp at 6,000 rpm and 200 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 RPM. 1990 Mazda Miata MX-5 MSRP: Starting From : $4,799 6. The seller may have already performed key repairs or located some hard-to-find parts. Since it needs a lot of work that has to be done to it in order to be brought back to life. "@type": "Question", Buick Lucerne. Required fields are marked *. GM and the rest of Detroit was just getting back into the swing of things postwar when it spat out this Pittsburgh-area 1949 Chevy DeLuxe four-door sedan. Average Price: $4,826 | USN Overall Score: 9.1/10 The Honda Fit hatchback ticks just about every box on the used car checklist, including a great track record of reliability. The original 401ci nailhead V-8 isn't running, and there is no title. And also the car that was produced in very high numbers by Buick. Out of all these terrific Japanese cars, several of them simply fell under the radar. Good aftermarket. amazingly well-preserved 1966 Mercury Montclair two-door fastback coupe. { If we give it a "very good" rating (the highest rating of all the cars seen here) and a typical transaction price of around $7,600, this deal would be an excellent value for the enthusiast looking to hit the road right away with zero work and instant daily-driver status. To the seller's side of things, the additional Pontiac Historical Services provenance for the (now missing) tri-power 389 is a big plus, but your toughest choice will be to chase down a numbers-matching power source, or just pay extra and live with whatever motivation you choose. Subaru earned its stripes thanks to its numerous victories in the World Rally Championship. Motor Verso is an automotive website; for car enthusiasts, run by car enthusiasts. Layers I run 5k 10k. And with a good black paint job at your home and some Grand National wheels, you can make a proper-looking Grand National replica. And when we are talking about reliable beater cars, you will also enjoy our next addition to the list of best project cars under 5k. The best project cars under $5k involve a balance of motivation and a familiar feel. Now lets conclude this article on the best project car under 5k. The 2005 Jetta GLI comes with a potent turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 180 hp at 5,500 rpm and 173 lb-ft of torque at 1,950 rpm. Why the coupe? Station wagons were all the rage back in the early 2000s. The 1995 Lexus SC400 does come with a respectable 4.0-liter V8 that produces 250 hp at 5,300 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. Face it. 1950 Chevy 1-ton chassis cab dually combo (Thief River Falls, Minnesota) has seen decades of labor moving logs in North Dakota and has amassed a proud collection of dings and bruises, including what looks like a dent in the rear of the cab where a log broke loose. There are some really good deals here and there if you constantly monitor the postings and if you are quick enough, you can get a hell of a deal." Whether you want to change the look or make it faster, you can choose any of them. A coupe has the potential to be a sports car but not every coupe is a sports car. Though it is true that the vast majority of them earned a bad reputation after the JDM trend picked up steam back in the early 2000s, tastefully modified Japanese sports cars can trigger a real wow effect. The latest project car looks great, drives well, lasts a long time, is easy to maintain, and offers more value for the money you spend on it. Notable SC400 CONFIGURATIONS LIKE 260 LB-ft torque capacity, 105.9-inch wheelbase, and 4-speed automatic transmission. Best Project Cars Under 5k #2: Third-Gen Chevy Camaro (1982 - 1992) Next on our list of best project cars under 5k is the 3rd gen Chevy Camaro produced from 1982 until 1992. There are plenty of handling and power mods available. The seller indicates he has a 1964 New Yorker and a 1963 Imperial (available separately) that contain enough drivetrain parts to make it complete. The same car moms used to drive to their kids' soccer practice in? As of July 2010, 90% of all Toyota Camrys sold since 1995 were still on the road. It wasn't always like that. Top 7 Inexpensive Best Project Cars Under $5k 1. Your best bet for this would be to go online and look on websites like Craigslist, eBay Motors, and Facebook Marketplace. 8 Top-Rated Best Project Cars To Start A Home Build. Well, mainly because the Camaro of this era is a true modern classic. The nice thing about the 2001 Mustang GT is that its worth almost nothing now. Max Veron is an avid fan of anything equipped with a powerful engine. What this DeLuxe lacks in functioning equipment could arguably be made up by the value of its hard-won patina. You can get an '02 WRX for $6000 to 7000 these days. Also known as the GTO, the 3000GT is an awesome machine. So, what is a project car? "acceptedAnswer": { Only one Scandinavian country has been capable of producing vehicles that became popular worldwide: Sweden. "@type": "Question", 842 vehicles matched Now showing page 2 of 57. David Smith is Chicago based automotive content writer. The huge Japanese conglomerate has been a major player in the banking and electric industries long before its first sports car rolled off assembly lines. However, not everybody has got the budget to buy a beast that could beat a mid-range American muscle. The price for a 1949 Chevy DeLuxe four-door sedan in roller or restorable shape is in the $2,200-to-$2,300 range, and with a bit of haggling, this baby (or one like itwe found three in similar shape at this price!) These cars have gone up in value recently and they will increase even more. Above is the best project car available in the market. Especially on Craigslist, there are a ton of offerings when it comes to cheap cars. A two-door 1957 Chevy Bel Air sedan parts car/roller typically transacts around $2,700, which makes this Southern California offer (Ramona, California) on the San Diego Craigslist for $2,000 a pretty good deal. Just remember this: A journey of a thousand miles happens one step at a time, and if you're a true believer, you will eventually vanquish your fix-it list one line at a time. Luckily, it doesn't always have to be that way. The car comes with a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-five powerplant that cranks out 300 hp at 5,250 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at 1,950 rpm. Now lets take a look at the reasons why to get a project car. Toyota Camry, 2002-2006. It's a fun to drive package that looks handsome, despite being 11 years old. And its design is really timeless. Also, the E30 was the blueprint for later 3-Series models. Next on our list of best project cars under 5k is the 3rd gen Chevy Camaro produced from 1982 until 1992. Your 5K will get you a strong 4.6L V8 capable of 275 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. } We listed mainly models from the 80s, 90s, and early 00s. So, until the beginner driver learns how to drive and how to park well, it is not recommendable to drive something fast and unpredictable. 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Base234,164 Miles Wilson, NC$4,995est. Equipped with a Kenne Bell supercharger, these numbers will increase tremendously. Ask me anything! Notable SC400 configurations like 4-speed automatic transmission, 260 lb-ft torque capacity, 105.9-inch wheelbase, and 18 city MPEG. While most GNXs with low miles on the odometer will most likely go for over $150,000, it is possible to replicate the GNX by settling for a regular Grand National. It is easily affordable and simple. If you didnt know, Ford at the time had a very strong partnership with Mazda. First, you go to Help and Options, then Control and adjust the Gearing option from Manual to Automatic mode. And if youre looking for inspiration on what mods you can do to Camaros, weve looked at how a twin turbo kit fares for the Camaro V6. Now lets cover another very cool model on our list of best project cars under 5k. When casting about for cheap project cars in the under-$5,000 price territory, it will pay to have some patience. It boasts roomy. The Buy It Now asking price is a bit steep for a parts car this incomplete but is within reasonable striking distance with some good deal brokering. The first on our list of best project cars under 5k is the Pontiac Fiero. The Toyota was marketed worldwide from 1984 to 2007 for three generations. If you're going the rat rod route, a good body is far more important than an original chassis, but if this example is your plan, you'd best leave out discussing your rat rod intentions, as traditional restorers and street rodders won't be too happy to hear about it. Ford Mustang has been leading the domestic automotive industry for more than a century. Maintenance costs are a huge factor to consider when buying an R129. This sports car is known for its handling prowess, making it a popular vehicle for race platforms. },{ A Subaru Forester? The 1967-to-1972 Chevy C10 trucks are on fire right now, and, long-wheelbase Fleetside 1968 C10 (Belle Glade, Florida) on eBay with a Buy It Now price of $5,000 looks like an awesome project car candidate. Your email address will not be published. When it comes to sports cars, Lexus may not be the brand to go to. Another thing why you need a project car is if you have a favorite car from your childhood. There are a lot of Fox Body lovers out there. Welcome to Motor Verso. Not to mention that they are reliable a beater car that can run forever. Our goal is to support you in becoming more acquainted with your vehicle while enhancing your driving experience. It is one of the well-known vehicles, for the best car which creates an impressive build. This is the ultimate budget project cars guide. Some Toyota cars deserve all the attention. Starting from simple mechanical jobs like maintenance, brake jobs, suspension work, bodywork, and all sorts of fun activities. Nissan Skyline GTS Buick must be one of the most boring domestic car brands nowadays. But not any Mustang, we are specifically interested in the Fox Body Mustang from the 1980s. RELATED: 10 Mitsubishi Cars Everyone Forgot About. Great Price. Cars coming out of Germany are usually considered to be the beacon of reliability, luxury, and sportiness. The best part about the E30 is its modularity. But most pony cars are easy to find and fun to work on. It is the perfect project car because it looks great, drives well, lasts long, is easy to maintain, and offers so much value for the money you spend on it. A good car for a beginner is usually an older vehicle that is not very powerful. Now lets take a look at what is a project car in general. But unfortunately, this didnt come to light. The original 401ci nailhead V-8 isn't running, and there is no title. These cars aren't cheap, and in restorable "fair" condition like this typically go around $5,800. Especially the Z28 and the IROC-Z models. First, we learned what a project car really is and the reasons why you should get a project car, and the reasons why not to get a project car. Current valuations on restorable non-running 1948-to-1953 one-ton Chevy stake-bed trucks are in the $1,300-to-$3,900 range, putting this eBay Buy It Now offer in goldilocks territory. Through the years, pony cars' body styles have evolved. Namely, the first generation of the Cobalt produced from 2004 to 2010. January 4, 2023. 10 Awesome Project Cars You Can Buy For Less Than $5,000, These Affordable Used Sports Cars Should Be In Every Collector's Garage, even if we can afford to maintain some of these performance cars, These Are The Best Ways To Upgrade Your BMW E30, cars that prove that BMW makes the ultimate driving machines, Auction Dilemma: Saab 9-5 2.3T Aero SportCombi Vs. Volvo V70R. Both Saab and Volvo originate from the land of ABBA and Swedish meatballs. Just drop a used Cummins turbodiesel under the hood, patch the corners and rockers, run a pair of exhaust stacks behind the cab, and add a wood bed with a moonshine still in the back. The 1996 Nissan 240SX is the easiest project car to work on. The Lexus SC 400 debuted in the US on the 1 June as a 1992 model. With an excellent track record of reliability, driving satisfaction, affordability, low cost of ownership, and extensive aftermarket services, the Miata is a solid choice for affordable best project cars under $5k. RELATED: These Are The Best Ways To Upgrade Your BMW E30. Given the success of the Impreza, most Subarus were simply put on the back burner. The Toyota MR2 is a two-seat, mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports car made in Japan. This real-deal GTO from Hays, Kansas, however, is being offered on eBay Motors with a Buy It Now price of $4,500. But what are the best project cars under 5k? With a dead engine and plenty of work remaining on this long-wheelbase model, the asking price is a tad steep; typical transaction prices on running '68 C10 LWB models in fair condition would be around $4,800, but we're guessing there's some room to negotiate. And frankly, when it comes to a doable project car for a beginner, we would recommend going for something that is a newer, 80s, 90s, or early 00s car. Car ReviewsExperiencesNewsMotorsportProduct ReviewsTroubleshootingTrending. The GTOs engines were either naturally aspirated or twin-turbocharged and were also functional with active aerodynamics, four-wheel steering, permanent all-wheel drive, and adaptive suspension. Other than some old collision repair work on the front left fender, new paint for this high-end Chrysler looks like a straight-ahead affair. Cobalt produced from 1982 until 1992, you can expect to spend another $ 5,000 price territory, will. 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